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VOL X MANNNG~ . C.~WEDNSDAYJANLARY 1, 1896.NO23
PROTECTION IN DISUUISE.
THE REPUBLICAN SCHEME FOR RE
LIEVING THE TREASURY.
An Iuteresting Debate lucluding Some
Very Strong Speeche-'-The Measure
Passed by a Strict Party Vote- 'opulists
Say Nay.
WASUrNGTON, Dec. 26.-By a ote
of 205 to S1, the house at 5::) p. mi.
passed the bill reported by Mr. Ding
le3 from the commiittee on ways and
means "to temporarily increase the
revenue to meet ahe expenses of the
government and to provide against a
deficiencr.
The bi was presented to the house
imnaediatelv after the reading of the
journIl and toen Mr. leuderson re
ported a reso! ation from tue commit
tee on rules, providing debate on the
bill until 5 o'clock -a vote to be then
baken on its passage.
In- antfcipation of this programme,
the galleries were crowdej to the
doors, even the diplomatic gallery
being occupied by a representation of
-the foreign colonies residiug in Wash
ington. -On the floor were over 300
ineibers of the house, and inter
speied among themi several senators
Wha were interested in the proceed
The. rule was opposed by Messrs.
:Crisp. McMiian and Turnar of Geor
gia, on the ground that it afforded no
opportunity for amendment and not
sufficient time for debate: and it was
advocafed b.y Messes. Dalzell and
Headerson,- who argued that the sit
.vation admitted of no delay. It was
finally passed-yeas 213; nays $5.
Several Repaolicans were recorded as
voting against its passage.
When- this had been disposed of
there reinained three and a half hours
-for the discussion of the bill itself.
The. debate was participated in for the
Republicans by Messrs. Dirigley, Dal
iel,". Hopkins. Grosvenor, Arnold,
Knox and Dol liver in support of the
bill, and by Messrs. Crisp, Wheeler,
McMillan and Turner (Dem.) and
Bell (Pop.) against the bill.
.The oppositioh was based on the
theory that the remedy proposed-an
increase. of revenues-was not what
was-needed, and that there was mon
ey enough in the treasury to meet all
etaims for two or three years to come.
even if the present rate of deficit was
maintained. It was also contended
#iat the bill was a general revision of
the tariff.
Republicans insisted that more rev
enue was the key of he situation and
denied that the- bill was in any sense
&general tariff measure. It did not
represent Bepuolican ideas on that
sibject at all, was intended only as a
tedporary revenue measure to meet a
pressing emergency, and its passage
was advocated on the high ground of
patriotic duty in the hour of the re
public's peril.
This measure having been "disposed
of, a joint resolution was passed offer
ed by Cannon (Rep.) of Utah, provid
ing for the transfer of territorial prop
At 5:40 the house adjourned until
tomorrow.
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL.
As soon as the journal was read,
Mr. Dingley, chairman of the com
mittee on ways and means, rose and
reported from that committee the bill
"to temporarily increase the revenue
to meet the expenses of government
and provide against a deficiency."
Baving been read by its title, the
-speaker declared that the bill was re
ferred to the committee of the whole.
Mr. Crisp, representing the minori
ty of the committee, complained that
the minority had had no opportunity
of preparing and submitting their
views. ("If they have any," a Repub
lican member interposed in a low
voice.) The minority had asked Mr.
Crisp said, for time toobtain estimates
from the treasury department as to
the effect of the proposed measure,and
hbad been refused. They had asked the
gentlemen of the majority if they had
any estimates themselves on which
tliey.had based the bill, or whether
they had the opinions of experts and
they admitted that they had not.
Then the minority had asked for a
reasonable time to prepare a minority
report and that was also refused.
After Mr. Crisp had made this pro
test, Mr. Henderson of Iowa rose and
reported-from the committee on rules
a ..rule in order to call up for debate
the bill just reported and to have the
debate close at 5 p. in., when the vote
should be taken. He stated that the
other bill agreed upon by the ways
and means committee would not be
brought up till tomorrow. The one
now before the house was in no sense
a general revision of the tariff ; but it
was legislation to provide, promptly
~-and efficiently, sufficient revenue for
the government.
Mr. Crisp objected to the proposed
rule as preventing the consideration of
what he called "a general tariff bill."
If the rule were adopted, no amend
ment to the bill would be in order.
Under the crack of the whip of Repub
-lican leaders, members were not to
be allowed to criticise the bill or to of
fer any amendment to it. The house
was called upon not only to pass the
bill, but to pass it without any sert of
consideration. Members were to be
chained to the chariot. There was no
suggestion from any source that there
was not a sufliciency of revenue. And
vet, under whip and spur, without
liaving the bill sent to the treasury
department to invite the judgment of
experts as to its effect, it was to be
driven through.
Mr. Dalzell, a member of the com
mittee on ways and means, supported
the proposed rule.
Mr. McMillan taunted the Republi
cans who supported the proposed rule
with selling thmeir birthright for a mess
of pottage. He also spoke of it as a
"perfidious manner of dealing with
the measnre." (Ironical laughter from
the Republican side.) The pending
bill, he said, would tax the people
$44,000,000, or at the rate for the time
allowed for debate, $1,0,000 an
hour. In conclusion, he exclaimed:
"Go ahead, gentlemen, there was a
power that checked you once before.
There is a power that will check you
again.' (Applause from the Demo
cratic side and sarcastic laughter from
the Republican.)
Mr. Turner said that it was idle,
perhaps, on this occasion to indulge
in epithets; and perhaps it would be
unprofitable to make comparisons.
But it might not be amiss to pause and
ask gentlemen to consider the situa
tion. The President had last Friday
sent a message informing congress of
the gravity of the financial situation
ma had in his annual message sug
gested a remedy. The secretary of tie
treasury, in his able report, had given
assurance 'that the revenues of the
oovernment were sunicieut to meet
all its ordinary expenditures. Not
only that, but the secretary said that
there was a surplus in the treasury
that would reach through two or three
vears. The great party to which he
(Mr. Turner) belonged believed that
though there might momentarily be a
deficit there was no question of a suf
ficiency of revenue. Ihe President
asked for financial lezislation and the
pending bill was offered as an answer.
The Presideui. had asked for bread and
they had given him a stone. They had
nresented as remedial legislation a pro
osition to further tax the American
people.
Mr. Henderson again took the floor
and in reply to the speeches on the
De:uceratic side declared that the ac
tion of the house today would show
whether the Republican party was
prepared to take the responsibility or
not. (Republican applause.) Wheth
er the country was presided over by a
Republican or by a Democratic execu
tive; whether it was threatened with
ballots or bullets; whether there was
a treasury deliciency or a treasury
surplus, the Republican party never
shrank from its dut y to the country.
(Applause.) Mr. Crisp declared that
the purport of the proposed rule was
to rpevent tile offering of amendments
by Democrats, which some Republi
cans might feel inclined to vote for in
the interests of their corn tituenLs.
That was its sole object.
The discussion on the rule being
closed, the vote was then taken, and
the rule was agreed to-yeas 231, nays
89. The vote was on strict party lines
except that Messrs. Connolly of Illi
nois; Heiner of Pennsylvania, Linney
of North Carolina and Wilber of New
York (Reps.) voted "no" with the
Democrats.
The bill was then read in full and at
1:30 p. m. the debate upon it com
menced, with three and a half hours
to run, the time to be divided equally
between the two sides of the house.
DISCUSSING THE DILL.
Mr. Dingley (Rep.) of Maine, chair
man of the committee on ways and
means, opened the debate on the side
of the majority. He said that when
the President's special message was
read at the clerk's desk last Saturday,
informing congress that there existed
a serious condition of the finances of
the country and the Federal treasury,
and appealing to the senate and house
not to take a recess until relief was af
orded, every member felt that there
was imposed upon the house not only
a special responsibility but an urgent
demand for immediate action; and
that it was the duty of the house to re
main in session until some measure of
legislation was passed that would af
ford relief to the exigent state of the
treasury. The committee on ways
and means had taken the matter
up and proceedcd to consider what
measures of relief should be proposed.
The first thing that had attracted the
attention of the committee on ways
and means was that for two years and
a half there had been a constant defi
ciency of*revenue, until that want had
become chronic. He knew that gen
tlemen on the other side claimed that
the revenue was sufficient, but the fact
was that from the 1st of July, 1S93, up
to today there had been insufficiency
of revenue to cover the cnrrent ex
penses of the government, to the ag
gregate amount of $123,000,000. Tbe
deficiency for the current year was
over $1.8,500,000 and for the current
month of December the deficit approx
imated $3,000,000. What, then, did
the gentlemen mean, and what did
the secretary of the treasury mean, in
saying that there was no need of addi
tional revenue? They meant that
with the proceeds of the sales of bonds
and the use of greenbacks received for
them, the receipts exceedd the expen
ditures It seemed to him and to the
majority of the committee on ways
and means that the first course to be
taken was to legislate so as to provide
suicient revenue to meet the expen
ditures of the government.
Mr. Dingley went on to discuss and
to uphold the bill in detail. He said
that if it became a law it would not
only increase the revenue by over
$40,000,000, but would also give to the
business interests of the country the
moral influences of a government
which was solvent, which paid its
debts, and whose credit was second to
that of no government on the face of
the earth. (Republican applause.)
CISP IN OPPOSITiON.
Mr. Crisp said that the bill, in order
to be responsive to the request of the
President, ought to be in line with the
suggestions that came from that source.
Hie insisted, from Secretary Carlisle's
report, that the cash balance in the
treasury on Dec. 1, 1895, was $170,000,
000 being $98,0j00,000 in excess of the
old reserve and $77, 000, 000 in excess
?f any sum necesssary to build up the
gold reserve. There was therefore
equoting from Mr. Carlisle) "no rea
son to debate the ability of the gov
einent to discharge all its curent
obligations during the present Iiscal
year and have a large cash balance at
ts close, without imposing additional
taxation in any form on the people."
His friend from Maine (Mr. Dingley)
knew-no one better-that there was
in the treasury today over and beyond
the gold reserve, more free money
thee times over-than any deticiency
which might occur during the fiscal
year. It was not a question of tor
rowowing money to meet expenses.
The money was already borrowed and
was in the treasury ; and the question
was whether it should be used now,
or whether the house should rush.
post haste, to impose additional bur
dens on the people in order to pile up
money in the treasury.
Mr. Crisp wvent on to taunt the com
mittee on ways and means with re
porting a billI for a horizontal raise of
duties, af ter all the ridicule which
had been cast on Morrison's bill for a
horizontal cut: and lie said that the
effect of the pending measure was to
declare that the McKinley tariff act
was 60 per cent. right and 40 per cent.
wrong. (Laughter.> lHe quoted Mr.
Mc. Kinlev's criticism of the Morrison
bill as patch work and a proof of indo
lence and said that on the issue of the
pending measure the parties would go
before the people in the next Presi
dential campaign and he had no doubt
that the people would respond as they
had always responded, in favor of
themselves-that is in favor of lower
taxes. I Democratic a)plause.>
Mr. Wheeler argued against the
pending measure.
Foi-ii A l'P TD -TINT.
Mr. Payne, a member of the com
mittee on ways andmeans, said that
the Republicans in the house being
ready tomeet the responsibility which
was on them toay had rl esented a
a bill to increase the revenue. Two
years from now. however, they would
meet the responsibility of that hour
and would present to the house and
senate and to a Republican President a
bill for the protection of American
labor and American agriculture and
would write it on the statute book.
kApplause.)
REED'S WARNING.
Mr. McMillan (Dem.) of Tennessee,
a member of the committee on ways
and means, argued against the bill and
reminded the Republican side of the
house of the wise warning given by
the present speaker in the Republican
caucus which nominated him in these
words: "History will accord us praise
for what we did in the forty-first con
gress. and it may accord us praise m
this congress for what we do not do."
What the house was doing today was
one of the things to which that warn
ing was applicable, and the country
would give them more praise for ab
stinence than for continuance in such
a course.
TOO THIN.
Mr. Dalzell, a member of the com
mittee on ways and means, repeated
what he had said in the discussion as
to the rules, that the pending measure
was in no sensv a protective tariff bill,
or a revision of the tariff, or an at
tempt to correct tariff irregularities,
but was simply an emergency revenue
measure, matured in haste under the
whip and spur of a pressing and cruel
necessity. ~ Xhen passed it would be a
conspicuous tribute to the patriotism
of the Republican party rising above
party prejudice at the summons of a
Democratic President.
Mr. Bell (Pop.) of Colorado did not
believe that the remedy for the bill
was in increasing taxation, but in the
coinage of silve bullion in the treast ry
and paying it out.
Mr. Dockery of Missouri argued
against the bill.
Mr. Hopkins (Rep.) of Illinois
argued in favor of its passage.
Mr. Grosvenor (Rep.) of Ohio said
that he gave his support to the pend
ing measure because it was a revenue
measure and because it was demanded
by the message of the President.
TURNER OF GEORGIA.
The dicussion was ended for the op
ponents of the bill by Mr. Turner of
Georgia. The administration of Presi
dent Harrison. he said, came into
power with a surplus in the treasury
over the gold reserve of $243,000,000.
It turned over to the present adminis
tration, four years later, a surplus of
$62,000,000, of which $54,000,000 be
longed to the fund deposited in the
treasury for the redemption of green
backs. The secretary of the treasury
had proposed, as has been stated, to is
sue bonds to protect the gold reserve
and to meet deficiencies in revenue.
It was under these embarrassing con
ditions that the Democrats returned
to power in 1893. The party said the
remedy for that situation was not to
raise taxes, but to lower them, and it
went forward courageously and passed
a law putting that principle into op
eration. Under that bill, wages went
up from New England to California
and exportations from the United
States had actually increased. The
defeat of the income tax, Mr. Turner
said, caused a deficit in receipts, but
there was no deficit, he contended, in
the treasury. By the report of the
secretary it was shown that there is
over $170,000,00( in the treasury, in
cluding gold reserve. "Why should
we," he asked, "put more money of
the same kind into the treasury when
there is more there than we need?"
A resolution of thanks, he said, was
due to the Democratic party for furn
ishing the plank upo i which the bill
was frameax-a tariff for revenue only.
The Republicans, he said, had gone
back upon all their old leaders in their
new movement. "Why didn't the
gentleman from Maine offer, on his
own, or his official responsibility, the
bill he proposed in the last congress
to increase the tax on beer $1 a barrel?
That would have yielded all the rev
enue that can, be hoped for from this
bill. Where is all the vaunted cour
age of that party now? (Laughter)
Instead of hoisting up the old flag of
tariff for protection in this the hour of
their culmination, theyseek cover un
der the popgun policy and cry "tariff
for revenue only." (Laughter.) For
his p art, in conclusion, he said, he
would prefer to lower rather than to
raise taxes. (Applause.)
Messrs. Arnold (Rep.) of Pennsyl
vania and Knox (Rep.) of Massachu
setts spoke briefly in support of the
bill.
Mr. Doliver (Rep.) of Iowa in clos
ing the degate said: "My friend (Mr.
Turner) asks the Republican majority
why we do not bring in a general
tariff law, and he refers to the lender
ship of the house as wanting in cour
age; but the leadership of this house
can always be relied on not to 'fight as
one that beateth the air.' Why, we
know and everybody knows, that a
general Republican tariff !aw cannot
be enacted by this congress. We do
not know that the President of the
United States would not sign the pres
ent bill. Does my friend speak by
some commission when he says that
the administration declines this relief ?
We have the best reason for knowing
that this law will please the present
chief magistrate. We had a letter
from the President in the last session
of congress, which contains evidence
that he will, sign this law, restoring a
reasonable duty upon wool.
"There is one thing that we ought
all be agreed upon, whatever else we
are divided about, and that is that the
treasur; of the United States should
no longer be left at the mercy of the
oranized avarice of the world without
money to pay or power to borrow or
means for increasing the public reve
nue; and so, Mr. Speaker, closing' the
debate, I appeal to the patriotic senti
ment that may still be supposed to re
side in the Democratic breast, to come
to the level to whicti the Republican
party has come in offering upon rev
enue principles a measure to relieve
the embarrassment and distress of the
treasury of the United States." (Ap
plause.)
The bill was read a third time, and
on the questiion of its passage the
yeas and nays were called-resluting,
yeas 205, nays 81. The vote was on
strictly party lines, the Populists vot
ing with the Democrats against the
bill. Mr. Newton (silvery of Nevada
voted aye.
Thirty Drowned.
PAmls, Dec. 2.--A dispatch to The
Figaro from Algiers says that by the
sinking of the French steamer, Emile
Heloise, yesterday through being run
down by the British steamer, B.allero
phon, 30 of her poz.eugers were
drowned, instead of 4, as at first re
ported. Twenty-five of the native
persons drowned were native Alge
ON TO HABANA!
VIGOROUS MOVEMENTS OF THE
CUBAN COMMANDERS.
One Spanish Regiment Surrenders With
out Resistance-The Insurgents Destroy
Many Sugar Plantations--Other News of
Importance.
KEY WEST, FLA., Dec. 26.-Advices
received from Cuba today state that a
battle occurred yesterday afternoon
between the vanguards of the insur
gent and Spanish armies and that the
Spaniards were repulsed. Col. Prat,
who commanded the Spanish van
guard, was killed. Martinez Campos
was present and directed the retreat of
the Spanish to Jovellanos. Campos'
forces are now entrenched at that
place, expecting to be attacked by Go
mez's main army. Campos has armed
all the civilians in Jovellanos and is
forcing them to do military duty.
Advices received by Cuban leaders
via Olivette, confirm the report of the
capture of the town of El Roque by
Gomez, as announced in these dis
patches last night. With Gomez were
Serafin Sanchez, Aguirre and Quarez.
The Spanish regiment stationed at El
Roque surrendered without firing a
shot. All of them were paroled, ex
cept 12 who wert charged with having
poisoned the water in the reservoir of
the town. They were tried, convicted
and shot.
After taking all the arms, provi
sions, etc., found in the town, the in
surgents set fire to it and then left,
going in the direction of Quintana
and Jovellanos. They also destroyed
the sugar plantations near San Vicente
and La Antonia. The vanguard of
Gomez's forces under the command of
Lacret has entered the town of Quin
tUaa between Matarzas and Colon and
destroyed by fire the largest sugar
plantation on the island.
The train that left Colon for Matan
zas was detained at Quintana by the
insurgents. Columns of smoke could
be plainly seen from Jovellanos. The
general supposition is that all planta
tions in that district have been de
stroyed,
Maceo and his forces have encamped
at the plantation La Harmonia and
Gomez has established his headquar
ters at the plantation La Espana, be
longing to Romerony Robledo of the
Spanish cabinet. All telegraphic
communication between the Las Villasi
district and Habana has been de
stroyed by the insurgents and no
trains have passed over the road since
Satraday last.
T Ie railroad stations at Madana and
Toca belonging to the United Railroad
Company have been destroyed by fire.
The insurgents under Nunez have
encamped at the plantation Revido
and destroyed all the cane. The
forces of Antonio Maceo, and Quintin
Bandera compose the rear guard of
the army under Gomez.
The Spaniards prohibited all public
entertainments on the 25th and or
dered all saloons closed at 12 o'clock
at night.
Lacret, with a large force, is march
ing towards Guines.
The insurgents assert that no crops
will be gathered this year, Gomez
has notified Campos that it is his in
tention to destroy all the sugar cane
to prevent its being gathered. The
sugar being exported now is taken
from the warehouses and is part of
last year's crop.
THE OTHER SIDE.
HABANA, Dec. 26.-Despite the state
ment contained in the 2.500 word al
leged cable dispatch from this city
published in the American papers tak
ing the reports of the Chicago Asso
iated Press, that Maximo Gomez,
with 12,000 Cuban patriots was march
ing upon this city, driving everything
hefore them, the following are the
itets:
Gomez with an army of from 4,000
to 5,000 men, has succeeded by avoid
ing an engagement with the Spanish
forces in marching to Coliseo, a point
90 miles from Habana. He burned a
number of fields of sugar on his way
and at Coliseo and vicinity he burned
some more, his acts of vandalisms, ex
citing great indiguation through
out the country devastated. When
he arrived at Coliseo, Gomez
was stopped by Spanish troops, who
checked his advance and prevented
further burning of cane fields. It is
believed that the rebels have greatly
injured their position, it being appa
rent that the only purpose of their
leader is to destroy the sugar crop.
l'his is the actual situation, and the
Chicago Associated Press "cable" had
no further foundation.
CAMPOS AT HABANA.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The Span
ish minister tonight received the fol
lowing cablegram from Acting Gov
ernor General Arderius at Habana:
"HIauANA, Dec. 26, 1895.-General
Campos yesterday arrived at Habana.
He was met at the railway station by
a large committee of political parties
of the city composed of the Liberals,
Conservatives and Home Rulers, and
by the most prominent members of
Habana's societies, all leaders of the
volunteer militia. He .was cheered
with great enthusiasm and was fol
lowed by the crowds to the governor
general's office. There the leaders of
the three political parties addressed
him, tendering to him the most enthu
siastic support. Gen. Campos has the
unlimited confidence of the Spanish
government and the support of all the
loyal element of Cuba.
'General Campos lamented the sav
age and criminal charaoter which in
surgent bands have given to this war
which is directed not against the
troops, but against property. They
always flee before the columns of the
army, making this war a very labori
ous one, but the general has full confi
dence of subduing the insurrection by
strenuous efforts. The infsurgen ts
have not entered a town. Thieir van
daistic conduct on some plantations.
with their advance from the eastern
part of the island, marked by the
burning of crops, although it inju-res
a great deal of private pr operty, w~ill
probably be convenient for our pur
poses, because it will make more ef
fective and easy the prosecution of the
rebels."
To Fortify Fort Sumter.
W~AsuiNrrox, Dec. 24.-It is learned
that the recent visit of Major General
Miles to Atlanta and other ulaces in
the south was in connection with the
subject of coast defense. Thje initia
tive will be taken with the $75,tl00
available for improving the defenses
or Fort Sumter, Charleston harbor.
and a project to equip it with l0-inch
A HARROWING OCCURRENCE.
WT. C. Welbb, of Yemassee, Becomes De
mented at Loss of His Wife.
BEAUFORT, Dec. 22.-We are with
out doubt undergoing the most strin
gent financial depression that has
been experienced in this section since
the war. The times are harder than
even during the period that followed
the -August cyclone. There is more
real want of money to relieve embar
rassments than at any time resulting
from material disasters by earthquake
or by wind and storm. The great indus
tries that the phosphate mines created
are suspended and loss of circulation
from the employment of labor has
caused such a scarcity of money that
all business and employments are par
alyzed and there is sufering among a
class of people that have everythin
to buy and nothing to buy with. The
agricultuial population and the com
paratively poorer classes are better off
than those who have unremunerative
properties and calling and occupations
and professions that can get no money
either as private creditors or as credi
tors of the courts. A great manypeo
ple who have properties find it diffi
cult to raise money to pay their taxes.
The small taxpayers have been able
to raise their pittances for the public
treasury, but the larger taxpayers can
only do so at great sacrifice. As a con
sequence the creditors of the courts
have to wait for their money and they
are a class also in great straits. The
outlook for the resuscitatien of the
phosphate industry is gloomy on ac
count of the low price of rock. The
works are closed down and the mills
are hardly working. The cotton crop
has .been a good one but the prices are
low. Fortunately the provision crops
have been abundaht and the negro
fariers are the least sufferers.
A: very harrowing occurrence is re
por~ed from the Yemassee section, the
details of which are most sad and dis
tressing. Mr. W. C. Webb, the tele
graph operator at that station, quite a
fine, steady young man, had married
some years ago a Miss Hicks, to whom
he was tenderly devoted. A short
time ago sh. died under distressing
circumstances. The disconsolate hus
band refused to be comforted and lost
his reason frotn grief. Last Tuesday
night-he suddenly quit home and the
family, who had anxiously watched
his demented condition, became alarm
ed and went in search for him. After
an ineffectual hunt with their worst
fears for his safety being excited, they
repaired to the cemetery, where the
remains of his wife were interred.
There they were confronted, in the
early dawn, by a spectacle that was
enough to curdle the blood of the
most insensible. Reaching the grave,
they found the wretched, demented
husiand down in the freshly filled
grave, his body naked and begrimed
with mud and dirt, where hehad been
all aight, digging out the loosened
esirth with his hands until he had well
nigh reached the casket in which was
encased his beloved wife. It was with
difficulty they could tear him away
frori the spot, while uttering the most
hea.-.,rending screams that portrayed
the ieptih and meastire of his woes.
He was taken to Charleston for treat
ment.
Our fellow citizen, Senator W. J.
Verdier, had the misfortune to have
a serious accilent befall one of his
younger children, Miss Ida, who day
before yesterday, fell fromn a hammock
where she and some companions were
playing and fractured her lower jaw
and dislocated it. Dr. Stuart was
promptly called in and administered
the proper relief. It is to be hoped
that it will not prove more serious -
State.
The Cotton Acreage.
MEMIPHIS, Dec. 23.-The movement
looking to no increase of the cotton
a"refio-e next year was inaugurated by
the Memphis Cotton Exchange this af
ternoon at a general meeting called for
the purpose. The preamble to the
resolutions adopted sets forth that a
large crop of cotton grown at heavy
expenses brings but little if any larg
er total value, contrasting the present
with past years to establish the fact,
and adds:
"Another matter for the farmers to
bear in mind is that at the present
ime, when there is a-remote possibil
ity of a war, if such should occur, the
nevitable result thereof would be to
lepreciate the value of cotton and ap
preciate the value of all food crops.
Therefore, be It
"Resolved, That the Memuhis Cotton
Exchange urgently recomniends to the
producers that the production of home
mpplies be made the first considera
ton jn -planting. operations for the
coming year, and that .the acreage of
cotton be not increased over that of
last year.
"Resolved, That we approve and in
lorse the A'merican Cotton Growers'
Associations for bringing about the re
diction in the acreage of the crop now
being marketed and we respectfully
arge the Hon. Hector D.- Lane, the
president, and his coadjutors, the pres
idents of the various cotton States of
said association to continue in the good
work, and to tak~e up the matter at the
rarliest practicable moment and urge
it again upon the attention of the cot
ton producers of the South.
"Resolved. That the various cotton
rxchanges throughout the South be,
and are hereby, requested to co-operate
with this exchange in this matter, and
that the Southern newspapers are also
requested to publish these resolutions."
Plunged Into the Ashley.
CuARLEsEox, Dec. 24.-Engine No.
36 of the Soutu Carolina and Georgia
road pitched into the Ashley river this
morning through a West Shore Ter
minal trestle about two miles from
the city. Engineer George Baxter
and Brakeman Clarence Turner were
buried under the wreck and met terri
ble deaths, while Fireman William
Boyle was seriously and perhaps fatal
'v inijured. Conductor M. P'. Dounar
was also on the engine, but he escaped
unhurt. The engine had carried a
train of cars from the yards the West
shore wharves and was backing~ out to
the yards again. Suddenly one side of
the trestling sank and the engine
plunged into the river, about 12 feet
below. Baxter was buried under it
and his body has not yet been recov
ered. Turiner's body was cut into pie
ee against the timbers, and Boyle,
was fearfully bruised and crushed.
No explanation of the catastrophe can
be given. Engineer Baxter has been
with thne road for years, and he is said
to be the oldest engineer in the State
in point of service. His home was at
Ridgeville, where he leaves a wife
and a large family of children. Tur
ner was from Shelby, N. C. He was
27 ears of age and unmarried. Boyle
lives i thiscity, ndr has a wife.
SENSIBLE OF THE SENATE.
HILL'S BILL REMOVING CONFED
ERATE DISABILITIES PASSED.
Not A Dissenting Voice-If the House
Does as Wel the Country Will Conclude
That the War is Ended--Tone of all the
speeches Patriotic and Pacife.
WASHINGTON Dec. 24.-The Senate
today presented a Christmas present
to the South as Mr. Hill, of New
York, aptly characterized the bill re
pealing the prospective disabilities,
passed at the close of the war against
the service of ex-Confederates in the
United States army or navy. The
passage of such a repeal, without a
dissenting vote, in a Senate having a
Republican plurality and with North
ern Senators taking the initiative,
lent a gracefulness and significance
in the action in marked contrast with
former war controversies. The South
era Senators, with the exception of
Mr. Daniel, of Virginia, took no part
in urging the repeal, and several of
them, mluding Mr. Walthall and Mr.
Cockrell, who served in the Confed
erate ranks, voted for a postpone
ment by reference to committee. But
with such champions on the Republi
can side of the chamber as Messrs.
Chandler, Hawley and Platt, and on
the Democratic side as Mr. Hill and
Mr. Voorhees, the repeal was readily
accomplished. In the two hours given
to speeches on the measure there was
the fullest expression of a desire to
bury war animosities.
The Senate did little beyond debat
ing and passing this bill. Mr. Allen
offered a resolution, which was re
ferred, urging a Latin-American
Union, in which all the republics of
the Western hemisphere would make
common cause against European en
croachments.
Mr. Hill, in introducing the pro
scriptive repeal bill, said it would be
a most fitting and generous Christ
mas present to the men of the South.
Mr. Sherman, Rep. of Ohio), sug
gested that there should be commit
tee consideration.
"I will vote for this bill," said Mr.
Sherman; the time is past for such
discrimination, but the usual course
of committee action should be taken."
Mr. Chandler, Rep. of New Hamp
shire), urged immediate action. Thirty
years had elapsed 'since the war.
There was no reason for keeping up
this proscription and there was abun
dant reason for repealing it.
"The other day,' added Mr. Chand
ler, "we came to the support of a
Democratic President on a question of
national affairs and I sincerely hope
that the Senate will today without
criticism and without a voice of op
position, unanimously approve this re
peal."
Mr. Gray (Dem; of Delaware), while
favoring the legislation, believed that
committee consideration would secure
the most satisfactory action.
Mr. Hawley (Rep.) responding to
some criticisms by Mr. Gray as to
the course of former legislation in
this line said it was not tobe won
dered at that there was some feeling
over Appromattox and Gettysburg.
This law followed the close of the
war. It was not proscriptive. It
was regarded at the time as erfect
ly just - The Senator said he had the
greatest respect nersonally for some
of these Confederate soldiers. But a
country that had any respect for it
self was compelled at the close of a
great .war to protect itself against
abuses of 'that day, when ex-Con
federates frequently enlisted in the
Union armies immediately af ter leav
ing the Southern lines. The Senator
without opposing the measure, felt
that committee action would give the
step greater force if it was to be taken.
Mr. Daniel (Dem. of Virgina) spoke
of the wish of the South to have one
country and one people. When the
war closed the Southi laid down its
arms. It was anxious now to obliter
te the fierce memories of the war.
Mr. Daniel presented the memorial of
the Virginia Legislature urgig this
repeal and also commendin te Presi
:dent's message on Venezuela.
Mr. Voorheese (Dem, of Indiana) ex
pressed the hope that "this last process
of healing" should he put into effect.
Already the Senate had confirmed the
ivil appointments of General Long
street and that other great Southern
soldiier, "second only to Lee"-Joe
Johnson. Mr. Voorhees said the re
pea would actually accomlish little,
but it would be an expression of good
will.
Mr. Platt (Rep. of Connecticut spoke
of the attacks made on him by South
ern newspapers because ho suggested
the other day that this bill go to the
ommittee. "From one end to the
ther of the South," said Mr. Platt,
"the press condemnsme, applies to me~
all kinds of epithets, declares that I
am lacking in patriotism, and finally
sends me marked copies of their con
emnation. But,'continued Mr. Platt,
'"this country has forgiven much; it is
ready to forgive more. And I am so
full of forgiveness on this day before
hristmas that I am ready to forgive
hese ex-Confederates and to join to
ay with the Senator from New York
(Hill) in supporting this repeal."
Mr. Allen, speaking as a former pri
ate in the Northern ranks, urged the
repeal and condemned the "bloody
flag" politics of the past. The Senator
aused some amusement by referring
to the time when the command with
which he served captured that com
mnanded by the Senator from Missouri,
Mr. Cockrell.
Mr. Hill closed by pointing out the
delays and absurdities of committee
action. He created a laugh by point
ing out the inconsiderateness of Mr.
Platt in not sending him some of the
complimentary Southern press notes.
"For," said Mr. Hill good-naturedly,
"it is so seldom nowaday that the
press says anything complimentary of
me."
Mr. Sherman moved to refer the bill
to the committee on Military Affairs.
The motion was defeated, 8 to 30.
Messrs. Bacon, Cockrell, Elkins, Frye,
Gray, Sherman, Teller and Walthall
voted yea.
The vote being short of the quorum,
a call of the Senate revealed forty
seven Senators present.
"It is evident," interposed Mr. Sher
man, "that a majority of the Senate
wish to give this bill as a Christmas
present to the South and I therefore
withdraw my motion for a reference.
Thereupon without division the bill
was passed._____
FREDERIC H. Coudert says that, in
case of hostilities with England, all
Europe would side with the United
States, and that the maps of Europe
STICK TO ITS PURPOSE.
rhe Dispenisary Law Should Curtail the
Sale of Whiskey.
Editor Register: Kindly allow one
of your readers to express a few
thoughts through your valuable paper
in regard to the control and sale by
the State of intoxicating liquors.
Surely a great responsibility now
rests upon the Reform party, which
inaugarated the present system, as to
how we shall manage the .liquor busi
ness, so that the best results may fol
low and no serious harm be done.
The dispensary law was wisely con
ceived and evidently drawn with much
care, as evidenced in the various sec
tions of the Act, especially section 11,
and if carried out according to its true
spirit aad plain meanir.g-not opening
the flood gate to sales-then the law
may prove to be of incalculable good,
especiallyin preventing many who are
too much inclined to the use of liquor,
from getting it.
The framers of the dispensary law,
I am persuaded, had no low design
(such as to make money for the State)
in enacting a law giviag the State con
trol of the liquor business, but had in
view the best interest of the whole
people, and the protection of society,
as well as to reduce the sale of intoxi
cating liquors, which was having such
a baneful influence. [t is wellremem
bered that the State had voted prohi
bition. Our Legislature, seeing the
difficulties attending the enforcement
of such a law, wisely jI hope) adopted
the present law giving the State con
trol as a compromise measure.
If the law is operated and enforced
according to its plain features and
provisions, and for the best interest of
all concerned, it will hardly fail to
give satisfaction, but will prove to be
the best solution of the liquor question.
In view of all the surroundings, will
it not be well for our Boards of Con
trol, and all concerned, as far as is
reasonable, to try to check, or reduce,
the sale and use of all intoxicating
liquors?
Let us not be drawn into wrong-do
ing, under the misapprehension that it
is necessary to place liquor in con
venient places for the public, in order
to keep down the blind tigers; but let
us, rather, enforce thea law, and obey
it strictly ourselves In its true spirit.
Thus the law -will be more highly
esteemed by our best people; and we
will not so often be out to the blush
in seeing drunken men go away from
the places where we are proposing to
control the liquor business.
The opening of more Dispensaries
than is really necessary in any com
munity does look like we were reach
ing out for more business, for revenue
Let us not yield to the seductive influ
ence and mistaicen idea that more dis
pensaries are necessary to keep do wn
"blind tigers," but stand firm on the
principle of right, and endeavor to
mase the law what it was designed to
be, a relief to our people and a bless
ing.to society. REFORER.
Spartanburg, Dec. 26.
Gladstone's Message
LNDON, Dec. 23.-This afternoon's
papers continue commenting editori
ally and at length upon the Venezu
elan matter, but their remarks are on
the financial, rather than the politi
cal, ast of the case. While there
is noabatement of the exnressions of
belief that the ground tak~en on be
half of the United States is untenable,
the tone is altogether niore pacific.
Yet, there is a considerable display of
satisfaction at the financial difficuities
in the United States.
The dispatch whici. the Right Hon.
W. E. Gladstone sent to Mr. Joseph
Pulitzer. proprietor of the New York
World, in answer to the latter's re
quest for a message to the American
people on the Venezuelan question,
has attracted wide attention here and
elsewhere. Mr. Pulitzer telegraphed
that American senti:nent was at the
turning point, that onc turned the
wrong way no power on earth could
hold it back, and that a word of peace
and fellowship from Mr. Gladstone
would aid to check clamor, to soothe
the passion, toencourage sober thought
and may avert calamity.
In reply Mr. Gladstone cabled:
"I can not interfere. Only common
sense required. Cannot say more
with advantage."
The St. James Gazette this after
noon commenting upon Mr. Glad
stone's message to ';he proprietor of
the New York World, says: "Com
mon sense would have avoided the
shock which has been given to both
countries. It will find its way Out.
It is the Americans who must supply
the needful pinch of sanity, which
they are fully capable of doing "
The Westminister Gazette advises
all concerned to "takse a holiday and a
breathing space, and. allow common
sense to assert itself,'' adding, '"when
both sides discover that there is ample
room for consideraticl, concession and
adjustment, the comaon. sense party
in the United States :nay be sure that
it would be met half way by the com
mon sense party here."
MississippI Flood i
ST. Louis, Mo., Dec. 22.-Since
Thursday night the Mississippi River
at this point has risen 22 feet, which
is unorecedented in the same length of
time.~ The boatmen and dwellers on
the river bank were taken unawares
and t'le loss is alreac y very great. A
number of shanty boats' were swept
away. In one of these, "Sandy Hook,"
a das ce was in progr-ess last night and
the revellers were not aware of their
Seril until the boat ituck in a tree.
he American bottoms are half under,
and the loss of stock is considerable.
At t; o'clock the gauge read 24 1-2
feet, whereas. Thursday morning it
was only 2 1-2 feet. Meagre reports,
due to breaks in corr.munication, show
that the flood cove -s the Mississippi
Valley from the Icwa line to Cairo.
Ill. .At Warsaw, NIo., the Osage Riv
er flooded the town, and the last dis
patch,. was sent out by an operator
perched on a desk fcur feet high, while
a boat was moored to the door.
At Fairfield, on t ie Usage. the wa
ter is waist high ini the stores, the
tracks are gone and no mail has arriv
ed since Tuesday. At Taborville the
the Osage was fourteen miles wide and
a miill and all the bridges were carried
away.
In Union county Joseph Eckert, a
surveyor, went dosvn with a bridge
across the Bourbois and was drowned.
St. Louis mail reaches Carthage, Mo.,
by going 200 miles around through
Kansas. AUl small streams have but
commenced to pour their flood into
the Mississippi and a repetition of the
disastrous floods of former years is
WORSE THIAN SAVAGE.
DETECTIVE NEWBOLD TELLS THE
INHUMAN STORY OFA LYNCHING.
Previous Reports Pale Into Insignincance
in View of the Later Facts-A Blot on
Our Civilization Which Should be Speed
11y Wiped Out.
COLUMBIA, S. C., Dec. 24,-State De
tective Newbold, who was recently de
tailed to investigate the Colleton
lynching, was in the city yesterday.
Although the public has been given a
general idea of the enormity of the
crime there are many harrow' de
tails that have not been published.
In the first place, the detective says
that he can find absolutely no motive
for the outrage. The negro Isom
Kearse had been charged with burgla
ry, but had been acquitted bya white
jury. He says that Kearse was as
black as black could be, and was a
young negro about 19 years old, one
of the finest specimens of physical
manhood he had ever seen.
Some time ago a negro walking
along the road near the scene of the
lynching cursed and insulted a white
woman who was in a field beside the
road. It has been given out that
Kearse was the man who did it, but
Detective Newbold says the woman
testifies herself that the negro was a
tall, slim, gingercake colored man,
which is almost directly opposite the
description of Kearse. The negro who
insulted this woman was supposed to
be the one who stole the bible from
St. Nicholas Church The detective
has other facts which will be brought
out on trial to show that Kearse was
in no way implicated in either offense;
that there was absolutely no charge
against his mother, who was also
beaten to death, or against his wife,
who, though flayed alive, still lives.
According to the facts ascertained
by the detectives the act was one that
even the most inhuman savage would
have hesitated to commit. The party
consisted of eight men. They went tc<
the Kearse's house at night, took t,
man, his mother and his wife ovu-to
the woods near by. TJhve were aied
with two brand new buggy-. tiaces.
They built a fire and then stripped
their victims,each one of whom plead
ed most piteously for mercy, but they
might as well have prayed to a stone
wall. Be fore whipping the ne
one of the lynchers took some wh i ey,
poured something in it and compelled
the negroes -to drink. They then laid
upon their naked bodies hundreds up
on hundreds of blows with -the traces.
each one of which brought blood and
laid the flesh bare. Some opiate had
been given the negroes in order that
in a short while that the might fall
asleep and their cries be hushed. The
only survivor, the wife of Kearse,
says that they first beat her husband.
His piteous cries were loud at first
but soon the strong opiates got in their
work and his yells ceased, but the
lashes went on just the same.
Next the old mother was given the
sleepg' potion.and the lashes. were..
laid on her back, and in fa::t, alikover
her body. Not a sound spot was on
her body, but the opiate did not take
effect at once. After beating her to
their bloodthirsty and fiendish heart's
content they let her run away. She
went into the swamp,running ihrough
three feet of water at times, until,stl
running, death came to her relief,
and she fell dead in water but a few
inches deep.
The same savagery was dslydin
whipping Kearse's wife, who a be
side the fire in front of her, now dead.
Notwithstanding the awful and ao
nizing lashing laid upon her, she d
not die. But she fell unconscious and
no doubt the devils thought she was
dead. They left her lying naked on
the ground, but after a while, she
knows not how long, she revived and
managed to get back home.
Detective Newbold had the bodies
exhumed last week. They were in a
fine state of preservation, having been
practically fIrozcn before burial. He
had physicians to examine them and
he says there was not a sound spot on
their bodies. The flesh had been beat
en into a pulp, and so deep were some
of the cuts made by the buggy traces
that some of the vitals were affected,
and the physicians gave it as their de
liberate opinion, that the whipping
alone was sufficient to cause deah
Their stomachs were sent to Char
leston for analysis to discover what
poison was administered, but no re
port as to the result has been made.
Kearse's wife, who survived,as if by
a miracle, is one mass of deep, bloody
gashes-from her head to her feet. One
of the men named Hiers has confess
ed, but it is understood that the others
will plead an alibi when the case
comes to trial in the third week of
January.
Detec'tive New bold says that in all
his experience he never has seen more
inhuman cruelty and savagery perpe
trated, and he can find no reason
whatever why these negroes should
have been killed. His report makes
this crime one of the foulest blots on
our civilization, and all good citizens
of that section and of the whole State
will rejoice to see the perpetrators,
some of whom boasted of their acts,
brought to a richly merited punish
ment.-Register.
Passed Without Dissent.
WASUIsGTos, Dec. 20.-The Unit
ed States Senate, by an unanimous
vote and without the formality of a
roll call, to-day passed the bill already
adopted by the House of Representa
tives, empowering the President to
determine the Venezuela British-Gui
ana boundary. This action was the cul
mination of a debate adding a memor
able page to Congressional history. It
was a day of notable sp)eeches by no
table men. The nrospect of war be
tween the Unitel States and Great
Britian was the prevailing theme, and
not withstanding the gravity of such a
su bject it was discussed with a direct
niess of statement which found expres
sion in lofty patriotic sentiments, in
stirring appeals for preparation and
defense, in graphic portra als of the
horr-ors of war, and at times in defiant
warnings to the people across the wa
ter.
Bo0th Want Peace.
AsnIEvItu:, N. C., Dec., 2.--Miss
F"rances E. Willard, president of the
world's W. C. T. U., is spending holi
day week here. A cable from Lady
Somerset, dated today has been re
ceived by her as follows: "Christmas
greetings. Pray for peace." Miss
Willard sent this reply: "White rib
bon women of the world over are
praying for peace. Let us help the
Armenians and not harm our own